Brett Pelser's teacher (Lama) Geshe Gyalsten Tendar
The meaning of Bodhichitta is taken from Transforming the Mind, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Thorsons, London 2000.
The definition is given in Maitreya's Ornament of Realization, where he states that there are two aspects of altruism. The first is the condition that produces the altruistic outlook, and this involves the compassion that a person must develop towards all sentient beings, and the aspiration to bring about the good of all sentient beings. This leads to the second aspect, which is the wish to attain enlightenment. It is for the benefit of all sentient beings that this wish should arise. Lama Tsongkhapa explains in The Great Exposition of the Path to Enlightenment, bodhichitta is such that while one fulfills the wishes of others the fulfillment of self-interest is a by-product. The more my feeling for taking care of others the more benefit I reap for myself. The practice and generation of altruistic intention is so comprehensive that it contains the essence of all spiritual practices. This attitude requires tremendous courage and reaches to all beings limitlessly and is not confined to any particular time .
"As long as space endures,
As long as sentient beings remain,
Until then, may I too remain
And dispel the miseries of the world."
Shantideva
THE EIGHT VERSES ON TRANSFORMING THE MIND
Geshe Langri Thangpa From Transforming the
Mind, Eight Verses on Generating Compassion and Transforming your Life, His
Holiness the Dalai Lama, Thorsons, London, 2000; p. 135.
"With a determination to achieve the highest aim
For the benefit of all sentient beings,
Which surpasses even the wish-fulfilling gem,
May I hold them dear at all times.
Whenever I interact with someone,
May I view myself as the lowest amongst all,
And, from the very depths of my heart,
Respectfully hold others as superior.
In all my deeds may I probe into my mind,
And as soon as mental and emotional afflictions arise-
As they endanger myself and others-
May I strongly confront and avert them.
When I see beings of unpleasant character
Oppressed by strong negativity and suffering,
May I hold them dear - for they are rare to find-
As if I have discovered a jewel treasure!
When others, out of jealousy,
Treat me wrongly with abuse slander and scorn,
May I take upon myself the defeat
And offer to others the victory.
When someone whom I have helped,
Or in whom I have placed great hopes,
Mistreats me in extremely hurtful ways,
May I regard him as my precious teacher.
In brief, may I offer benefit and joy
To all my mothers, both directly and indirectly,
May I quietly take upon myself
All hurts and pains of my mothers.
May all this remain undefiled
By the stains of the eight mundane concerns;
And may I, recognizing all things as illusion,
Devoid of clinging, be released from bondage."